Overflow and recirculating systems for swimming pools



M. LERNER 3,391,790

Jul 9, 1968 OVERFLOW AND RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS FOR SWIMMING POOLS 2 Sheets-sheaf 1 Filed March 8, 1966 QZEZJ 3950mm July 9, 1968 M. LERNER OVERFLOW AND RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS FOR SWIMMING POOLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1966 United States Patent Oflice 3,391,790 Patented July 9, 1968 3,391 790 OVERFLOW AND RECIliCULATING SYSTEMS FOR SWIMMING POOLS Marc Lerner, Swan Lake, NY. 12783 Filed Mar. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 532,615 9 Claims. (Cl. 210-469) This invention relates to improvements in the construction of swimming pools and more particularly to improvements in the means used to carry surface water and foreign matter associated therewith in the pool cavity to the pool filter for clarification, and subsequently back to the pool cavity.

In conventional swimming pool construction an open or semi-enclosed overflow gutter is constructed around the perimeter of the pool, to carry overflow water and debris associated therewith to the filter system. The filter clarifies the water and returns it to the pool through piping buried in the ground outside the pool walls.

The problems encountered in this type of construction are many and difficult to overcome. The rim of the overflow gutter must be perfectly level if the water is to overflow into the gutter evenly around the perimeter of the pool. Any misca'lculation in measurement during construction, or settling of the pool structure after completion of construction, results in a gutter into which water does not overflow evently at all points.

Even if the gutter is perfectly level, further difiiculties arise. Under normal conditions, the filter pump does not have the capacity to circulate enough water 'back to the pool to create a skimming action along the full length of the gutter with enough velocity at the rim of the overflow gutter, to carry any debris floating near the center of the pool into the gutter, and thence to the filter system.

As the number of bathers entering the pool increases, the level of the water rises, the gutters become flooded, and cease to function properly. If the added overflow goes to waste rather than the filters, the level of the water in the pool drops below the gutters as soon as the bathers leave the pool, making it necessary to refill the pool cavity with additional water.

Since most pool constructions have the return filter piping in the ground outside the perimeter of the pool cavity, it is necessary to excavate these sections when repairs must be made to said piping. This results in addi tional expense and partial loss of the aesthetic use of the pool and its surrounding environs.

Accordingly, it is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved swimming pool overflow and recirculating system which can be adjusted for levelling at any time after construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved overflow and recirculating system which increases the velocity of the water overflowing from the pool cavity to the filter system thereby removing foreign surface matter located in the center, as well as the sides of the pool.

Still another object of the present invention is to facilitate any maintenance that might be required of the fiiltered water recirculating piping, by enclosing it in a trough or duct with a removable cover.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to create a means of connecting the main recirculating pipe line to the individual return inlet lines to simplify replacement of the recirculating piping.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a reservoir large enough to hold the volume of water displaced by bathers using the pool, so that the water level remains constant and the overflowing action is continuous.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a plastic or rubber liner for the individual inlet piping connected to the main recirculating piping, in the sidewall return flow embodiment, to act as a seal for the fittings of the inlet pipe, and as a dialectric brushing and corrosion resistant liner for the metallic drop piping that connects the filtered water recirculating piping to the pool wall inlets.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide, in the floor duct embodiment, louvered angled openings, in the top wall of the duct, to create a sweeping action along the pool floor, moving the dirt on said floor toward the main drain, and greatly reducing the necessity of vacuuming the floor.

My invention contemplates a swimming pool cavity with a perimeter trough or duct, one of the walls of the trough being the top part of the pool. wall.

The cover or coping of the duct is removable, and allows access to the interior for purposes of painting and maintenance thereof. All piping located within the interior of the duct is accessible in the same manner and for the same purpose.

The coping may be formed of concrete, or the like material, or metal in a predetermined configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the forward portion of the coping has a finger spaced from the bottom surface and extending parallel thereto. It is secured to the coping by means of a threaded bolt mating with a threaded bore in an anchor in said coping. The top part of the pool has an inwardly extending shoulder mating with the finger. The rear surface of the coping angles upwardly and inwardly in conformity with the outwardly extending shoulder and retainer portion of the rear wall of the duct.

Spaced along the top part of the pool wall are a number of overflow openings emptying into the perimeter duct and covered by adjustable weir plates, movable in a vertical direction over the opening. Each weir is adjustable individually to the height of the water in the pool.

The shelf wall of the duct is slightly inclined or stepped to cause all overflow water to move toward an opening in the shelf wall over an accumulation reservoir. The reservoir has a check valve to assure a continuous supply of Water therein, and piping leading to the pump and filter system of the pool. Additional water may also be supplied to the system from the main drain of the pool floor if there is one. After the water has been clarified, return flow piping directs the clean water into recirculating piping located Within the perimeter duct.

At various intervals along the recirculating piping there are T-joints connected to individual return inlet lines leading to an outlet in the pool wall, allowing the clarified water to return to the pool cavity. The individual inlet lines may be of stainless steel or lined with a rubber or plastic material which acts as a dielectric brushing and corrosion resistant liner to extend the useful life of the piping. Alternatively, the return flow piping may be connected to a floor duct having angled louv'ered openings in the upper wall thereof. This creates a sweeping efiect along the pool, directing debris thereon towards the main drain, thus reducing the necessity for vacuuming the floor of the pool.

A feature of the invention lies in the simplicity and ease of manufacture, and the consequent reduction in cost thereof.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, in section, of part of a pool wall, including certain parts of the perimeter duct and accumulation trough being cut away to better illustrate my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, in section, showing a floor duct with angled louvered outlets in the top wall thereof.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail, as seen from the plane 3-3 on FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, illustrating the removable coping, the adjustable weir, and the return flow system, in the preferred embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail as seen from the plane 5-5 on FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail, as seen from the plane 66 on FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged fragmentary view of a detail, in perspective, as seen from the plane 7-7 on FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged detail of the T nut view.

FIGURE 9 is another embodiment of a coping.

FIGURE 10 is a further detail of another embodiment of a coping.

FIGURE 11 is another embodiment of a coping.

in accordance with the drawings, the invention comprises broadly: a swimming pool section 10, a perimeter trough or duct 12, a removable coping 14, overflow means 16, an accumulation reservoir 18, a filter and pumping system 20, and return flow ducts and piping 22.

More particularly, the section 10 of the swimming pool cavity includes a floor wall 24, a sidewall 26, and an end wall 28. The top part of the sidewall 26 forms the inner wall of the duct 12. The inner wall is defined by an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 34. Located along the wall in predetermined positions thereon are spaced openings 36, which may be generally rectangular in crosssection and allow direct communication between the pool cavity and the interior of the duct. Spaced on either side of each opening are a pair of vertical slots 38, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Extending inwardly from the top of the wall 30 is a shoulder having an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 44 and an edge 46. Extending outwardly from the perimeter of the pool and abutting the wall 30 at surface 34 is a shelf Wall 48 having an upper surface 50, a lower surface 51, and bores 54 spaced at predetermined locations along the wall. Extending upwardly from the shelf Wall 48 and perpendicular to the wall 30 is an outer wall 56 defined by an outer surface 58 and an inner surface 60. Extending outwardly from the top of the wall 56 is a shoulder 62 having an upper surface 64 and a lower surface 66. The shoulder has a retainer portion 68 defined by an outer surface 70 and an inner surface 72. The retainer portion is bent inwardly towards the wall 30 and is made of a resilient material.

Turning to FIGURE 4, and the preferred embodiment of the coping 14, there is shown a coping which may be made of concrete or a similar material, defined by a lower surface 74, an inwardly angled rear surface 76, and upper surface 78. For purposes of discussion the coping may be considered as having a rear portion 89 of constant cross section and a forward portion 82. The forward portion increases in cross section until it reaches a maximum dimension approximate the location of the wall 30 and then forms a rounded frontal shape. An anchor 84 containing a threaded bore 86 is placed in the coping during the molding operation to receive a retainer clip 88 having a matching bore 90 so that the clip may be detached when desired by removing an appropriate screw. The clip consists primarily of a finger 92 having an upper surface 94 and a lower surface 96.

Placed on the wall 30 abutting the inner surface 32 is an adjustable weir 98 defined by an outer surface 100 and an inner surface 102. Located within the weir is an opening 184, which may be rectangular in shape and of generally smaller dimensions than the openings 36 in the wall 30. Also positioned on the weir are holes 106 which mate i with the vertical slots 3-8 of the wall 30. A T-nut 106 is placed within the vertical slots 38, and receives a screw 110 through hole 197 to allow positioning of the weir in a vertical direction over the opening 36. This allows the actual level as seen from the pool cavity to be varied in a vertical direction to compensate for any settling or shifting of the position of the pool walls during or after construction. The shelf wall 48 of the perimeter duct 12 is stepped or slightly inclined toward the accumulation r servoir 18. An opening III in the shelf wall is placed above the accumulation reservoir to allow the overflow water and debris to fall therein. The reservoir is defined by sidewalls 112 a bottom wall 114, and a rear wall 116. The wall opposite 116 is defined by the appropriate portion of the pool wall 26 at the position of the reservoir. A check valve 118 is located in the pool wall. This valve always assures a continual supply of Water to the reservoir so that the filtering system will never go dry. In the event that the pool water level is not of sufficient depth to overflow into the duct, the valve would open at a predetermined differential of water depth between the reservoir and the pool. If this differential is not reached, the valve would remain closed. A pipe 120 carries the water from the reservoir to the pump and filter system and has means 122 for adjusting the flow of the water therefrom.

In certain pool constructions there is a main drain on the floor in addition to gutter drains, and accordingly such a drain, which is well known in the art, may feed water to a pipe 124 which is joined to the pipe 120 in feeding water to the pump and filter system. The pipe 124 may also have means 126 for adjusting the how of the water thereto.

After the water has been pumped into the system and clarified by the filter, it is directed to the return flow pipe 128 which is connected to a T-joint 130, which is a part of the recirculating piping located within the perimeter duct 12. The piping is placed throughout the entire perimeter and. at predetermined spaced intervals thereof, there is located a bracket 134- (FIGURE 4) which is welded to the inner surface 60 of the wall 56 near the top thereof. Located under the bracket is a screw jack 136 maintained in position thereby. Directly under the screw jack is a T- joint 138 with the tapered leg portion extending downwardly into the bore 54 of the shelf wall 48. The T-portion 148 is connected into the recirculating piping 132.

Extending upwardly into the bore from underneath the shelf wall 48 is an inlet pipe 144 having its lower end secured to the opening 146 in the pool wall 26. The inner surface 148 of the piping at that point may be threaded at the portion 159.

Turning to FIGURE 5 there is shown a construction for anchoring all parts at the opening 146, including an outer mating plastic member 152 having a threaded outer surface 154 to mate with the threaded portion 150. The inner surface 156 of the member is conical in configuration with an expanding diameter as directed in toward the pipe. An inner mating conical plastic member 158 has a conical surface 160 to mate with the dimensional configuration of the surface 156. The inner surface 162 is the dimensional configuration sufficient to allow the flow water therethrough. There are also threaded bores 164 located on the member 158. A standard adjustable face plate 166 is placed over the opening and screws 168 are secured therethrough into the threaded bores 164 to complete assembly. The plastic liner 170 which travels the entire length of the pipe 144 is secured at this lower section by placing the liner in between two plastic mating sections and then as the face plate unit is screwed into position by means of the screws 168 the conical surfaces will draw closer together squeezing the plastic liner therebetween and assuring a tight fit. At the upper portion the liner is positioned between the tapered leg 140 of the T-joint 138 and the inner surface 148 of the pipe 144 which is tapered to match the T-joint. As the units are brought together by adjusting the screw jack 136 a tight fit is assured. It is understood that acceptable alternative constructions may also be utilized.

In operation, as water flows from the pool over the adjustable weirs, a strong skimming action is created due to the limitation in locations for the water to go. This strong action as a result of the limited number of openings allows all the debris in the pool, including that located at a distance from the weirs to be carried towards the weirs, and into the trough. The weirs are, of course, adjusted after completion of construction of the pool to compensate for any shifting in position in the openings, and thus a perfectly level location of all weirs with respect to the water level is assured. The weirs may be further adjusted from time to time as conditions require.

The skimming action through the weirs is more affective than that in pools with conventional overflow gutters because the weir openings are limited in width and not continuous as conventional gutters are. Thus, the same volume of water passes through smaller openings at an increased velocity and accordingly, the skimming action is greater. If there isnt enough water in the pools to overflow the weirs, then the check valve 118 in the pool wall 126 located in front of the accumulation reservoir 18, will open thereby keeping the pump from being starved for water.

As bathers enter the pool, the volume of water displaced by their bodies overflows through the adjustable weirs and into the perimeter duct 12. The water starts to fill the duct and is stored there and in the reservoir 18 to compensate for the displacement of the water in the pool.

When the bathers emerge from the pool, the filters will return the volume of Water stored in the duct and the reservoir to the pool, to maintain the overflowing skimming action into the perimeter duct. Since this cycle occurs within a short period of time, the skimming action is in effect continuous. The pool construction may also have a portion of water coming from the main drain of the pool, with appropriate adjustments thereof.

After the water has flowed into the perimeter duct and reservoir and is pumped through the filter system 20 it returns through the return flow piping 128 into the recirculating piping 132 where, at predetermined locations, it will pass through the individual inlet piping 144 and out of the inlet openings 146 through the pool wall. The individual inlet piping 144 may be made of stainless steel or of steel lined with a rubber or plastic material to retard electrical or chemical corrosion, thus greatly in creasing the useful life of the piping.

The coping 14 may be removed from its position atop the perimeter duct by simply placing a thin wide bladed prying tool or similar article between the rear portion 76 and the inner surface 72 of the retainer portion 68, forcing it back and allowing the coping to be removed, by pivoting it upward and backwards to allow the finger 94 to be removed from its engagement with the shoulder 40. This allows easy access to the interior of the perimeter trough for such maintenance as may be required, and also allows easy access to the recirculating piping for similar maintenance.

In a slightly modified form of the invention the return flow piping 128 is directed to a floor duct (FIGURE 2) 172 having a top wall 174 defined by an upper surface 176 and a lower surface 178, and sidewalls 180, and a bottom wall 182. Located in the top walls, by punching or other similar means, are louvered openings 184 which are angularly disposed in a symmetrical fashion around a central axis of the duct. The louvers are angled out and away from each other and cause a constant sweeping action of water flowing therefrom towards the deeper end of the pool, and causes a sweeping or brushing effect on the debris located on the floor of the pool. This debris is directed towards the main drain of the pool where it is picked up and carried out of the pool and to the filtering system.

Such a floor duct greatly facilitates the cleaning of the 6 pool, and reduces the requirement of vacuuming to a considerable degree.

Turning to FIGURE 11 there is shown a slight modification of the coping of the invention, wherein the shoulder 186 of the wall 30 is angled upwardly and inwardly into the coping to be received by a corresponding slot 187. In the rear, located between the retainer portion and the rear surface is a tapered flexible strip 188 which may be of any plastic material that will deform slightly and then return to its original dimensions.

This will facilitate removal of the coping, by having this strip inserted during the initial positioning of the coping. When it is desired to remove the coping, it is simply necessary to pry up the end portion of the strip and simply pull it out along the length of the coping, thus allowing the coping to be removed rather rapidly and simply.

The strip also serves as a seal, preventing any ground surface water from entering the duct.

It is understood that this seal may be used with any of the other coping configuration or materials.

FIGURE 9 shows yet another form of the present invention in which the coping is made of metal of dimensions sufiicient for the present purposes. The coping 190 is shaped in the same manner as the contours of the coping of FIGURE 4 and having a finger portion 192.

FIGURE 10 shows yet another form of the present invention which is identical with FIGURE 9, except the finger portion 194 is welded or otherwise secured to the coping.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An improved overflow and recirculating system for a Walled fluid containment unit comprising: (a) a collection duct around the perimeter of the unit, the duct having an open top and being inclined towards an opening, (b) a peripherally coextensive coping detachably attached to the top of this duct, (c) peripherally spaced adjustable overflow means in the walls of the unit and in direct communication with the duct, (d) collection means abutting the duct and in direct communication therewith under the opening in said duct to receive the overflow, (e) filter and pumping means connected to the collection means, and (f) return flow means secured to the filter and pumping means to return the process fluids back to the interior of the walled fluid containment unit.

2. The invention according to claim 1, the perimeter duct being defined by the top portion of the wall of the unit, an outwardly extending shelf wall abutting the wall of the unit, and an upwardly extending outer wall parallel to the wall of the unit, the top portion of the wall of the unit which forms the inner wall of the duct having openings thereon, and said overflow means comprising an adjustable weir located at each of said openings, each said weir abutting the inner wall and having an opening communicating with the opening of the inner wall but of smaller dimensions, the weirs being adjustable to change the height of the lower edge of the overflow into the perimeter duct. 6

3. The invention according to claim 2, vertical slots being spaced from each opening in the inner wall, and holes on the adjustable weirs mating with the slots on the inner wall, and means being provided to allow the vertical slots and holes to be used to cause adjustment between each said weir and its respective opening to vary the vertical height of the lower edge of the opening.

4. The invention according to claim 1, the inner wall having an inwardly extending shoulder at its top portion, the outer wall having an outwardly extending shoulder portion and an inwardly directed retainer extending upwardly therefrom, the coping having a horizontal lower surface, an inwardly directed rear surface, and an upper surface, an anchor located within said coping to receive a detachable retainer clip having a finger, the finger abutting the shoulder of the inner wall, and the rear surface of the coping being constructed to abut the retainer portion when in place, thereby retaining the coping in position on top of the perimeter duct and allowing its attachment and detachment therefrom.

5. The invention according to claim 4, a tapered flexible sealing strip positioned between the retainer portion and the rear surface of the coping, whereby the strip may be simply removed therebetween for rapid detachment of the coping from the perimeter duct.

6. The invention according to claim 1, the inner wall having an inwardly extending shoulder at its top portion, the outer wall having an outwardly extending shoulder portion and an inwardly directed retainer extending upwardly therefrom, and the coping being made of metal stripping of sufficient strength for the purposes required, the stripping including a rear portion abutting the retainer of the outer wall and a forward portion having a detachable means to removably secure the forward portion to the inner wall, whereby the forward portion and the rear portion form-a detachable fit with the shoulder of the inner wall and the shoulder and retainer of the outer Wall.

7. The invention according to claim 1, the return flow means including a filtered water return flow pipe connected to the filter and pumping means, recirculating piping meanslocated within the perimeter duct and connected to the return flow pipe, the duct having. a shelf wall with inlet piping openings defined therein, inlet piping connected to the recirculating piping means and passing through the piping openings in the shelf wall, and a rubber or plastic lining or seal material placed within said inlet piping and secured between the recirculating piping and the inlet piping.

8. The invention according to claim 1, the return fiow means including a return flow pipe connected to the filter and pumping means, floor ducts located in the floor of the pool, and the return flow pipe being connected to the floor ducts.

9. The invention according to claim 8, the floor ducts having a top wall, the top wall having angularly disposed louvers symmetrically located therein, and said floor ducts being positioned so as to create a sweeping motion along the pool floor in the direction of a main floor drain.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,826,307 3/1958 Pace 210--169 2,932,397 4/1960 Ogden 210-169 2,980,256 4/1961 Nash 210-169 3,155,989 11/1964 Anderson 2l0169 X 3,169,920 2/1965 Payne 210l69 3,316,934 5/1967 Sowers 210-169 X 3,319,264 5/1967 Scarano 210--169 X REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primaly Examiner.

WILLIAM S. BRADBURY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED OVERFLOW AND RECIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR A WALLED FLUID CONTAINMENT UNIT COMPRISING; (A) A COLLECTION DUCT AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE UNIT, THE DUCT HAVING AN OPEN TOP AND BEING INCLINED TOWARDS AN OPENING, (B) A PERIPHERICALLY COEXTENSIVE COPING DETACHABLY ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THIS DUCT, (C) PERIPHERALLY SPACED ADJUSTABLE OVERFLOW MEANS IN THE WALLS OF THE UNIT AND IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE DUCT, (D) COLLECTION MEANS ABUTTING THE DUCT AND IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION THEREWITH UNDER THE OPENING IN SAID DUCT TO RECEIVE THE OVERFLOW, (E) FILTER AND PUMPING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE COLLECTION MEANS, AND (F) RETURN FLOW MEANS SECURED TO THE FILTER AND PUMPING MEANS TO RETURN THE PROCESS FLUIDS BACK TO THE INTERIOR OF THE WALLED FLUID CONTAINMENT UNIT. 